Hong Kong -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua have pulled off an audacious transfer coup by signing former France international Nicolas Anelka from English team Chelsea .

Images of the striker were splashed across the Shanghai team 's official website Monday , together with a statement saying the 32-year-old would be joining the club in January on a two-year contract .

The move was later confirmed by Chelsea , who signed Anelka for Â # 15 million in 2008 but accepted his transfer request with his current deal to expire at the end of this season .

`` This is not only good for Shenhua but also beneficial for Chinese football , '' club spokesperson Ma Yue told CNN .

`` The joining of Anelka to Football Association Super League will promote the League 's brand for sure . ''

No details were given about how much the contract was worth , but a club official denied reports that Anelka 's weekly salary would be as high as Â # 200,000 -LRB- $ 312,000 -RRB- .

Anelka has rarely featured for Chelsea this season under new manager Andre Villas-Boas , and was almost certain to leave Stamford Bridge during European football 's January transfer window after asking to leave .

The Versailles-born player , who became a Muslim in 2004 , has scored 59 goals in 184 games for the club .

Having played for some of Europe 's top teams , including Spain 's Real Madrid and England 's Arsenal and Liverpool , Anelka 's transfers have so far totaled almost $ 133 million , making him one of the world 's most expensive players in those terms .

However , his questionable attitude during his early career led to him being nicknamed `` Le Sulk '' at Arsenal and being banned for 45 days at Real after refusing to train .

In 2008 , Anelka moved to Chelsea in a Â # 15 million deal from Bolton , where he resurrected his career after a short spell in Turkey with Fenerbahce . He helped the London club win the domestic championship in 2009-10 .

Anelka 's international career came to a controversial halt during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa , when he was sent home in disgrace after clashing with coach Raymond Domenech . He was given an 18-match ban after refusing to apologize , but said he had already decided to retire from the national team .

Reports have also linked Shenhua with another veteran Chelsea striker , Didier Drogba -- a target of Chinese rivals Dalian Aerbin .

Meanwhile , Shenhua owner Zhu Jun said last week that former France international Jean Tigana will become the club 's new coach , according to the Shanghai Daily website .

`` Tigana should be in the city by the middle of this month . He had already made a one-year coaching plan for the team , '' Zhu said .

Shenhua finished 11th in the 16-team Chinese Super League this year , having been runners-up in 2005 , 2006 and 2008 .

CNN 's Haolan Hong contributed to this report .

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English Premier League side Chelsea confirm Nicolas Anelka will move to China

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Shanghai Shenhua earlier claimed to have signed Frenchman on a two-year deal

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Images of the 32-year-old were splashed across the Shanghai team 's official website

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The striker has rarely featured for Chelsea this season under manager Andre Villas-Boas